In medical and industrial applications, personnel working near X-ray machines or radioactive sources often stand behind thick lead screens.
What is the primary reason lead is used for this purpose?
Lead reflects the radiation back toward its source.
Lead chemically neutralises the ionising radiation.
Lead absorbs the radiation, reducing its intensity.
Lead speeds up the decay of radioactive particles.
484 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.2 Radioactivity, covering 5.2.1 Background radiation and measuring count rate, 5.2.2a Alpha, beta and gamma emission, 5.2.2b Deflection and ionising effects of nuclear radiation, 5.2.3a Radioactive decay, 5.2.3b Effects of decay on the nucleus and decay equations, 5.2.4a Half-life, 5.2.4b Choosing isotopes for applications, and 5.2.5 Effects of ionising radiation and safety precautions. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.